Fire Damage Boarding Up in Tonbridge (After a Fire, Here’s What Happens Next)
Fire damage is frightening, disruptive, and rarely tidy. Even a small kitchen fire can leave a property exposed: blown-out glazing from heat, doors forced by emergency services, and windows left open for ventilation. If you’re searching for fire damage boarding up in Tonbridge, you likely need one thing first — to make the property safe and secure.
Boarding Up Tonbridge secures homes, shops and other premises across the TN postcodes (TN1–TN40). We’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked, with 10+ years trading. We’ll explain what we can do, what we can’t, and what happens next.
Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Prefer to send details? Email [email protected]
When fire-damage boarding up is needed (common triggers)
After a fire, the “damage” isn’t only the burned area. It’s often the openings and the structure around them that create urgent security and weather risks.
You may need emergency boarding up if:
- A window has cracked or shattered from heat, smoke pressure, or cold water hitting hot glass
- A door has been forced or removed for access by the fire service
- The frame is swollen, warped, or no longer closes properly
- The shopfront glazing is compromised (even if it’s still standing)
- There’s a hole or vulnerability in a roof area, skylight, or upper opening
- The property must be left unattended overnight (or longer) but is no longer secure
Even if the fire is “contained”, a property can become a target once it’s visibly damaged. Securing it quickly reduces the risk of opportunistic entry and further losses.
If you need urgent attendance, see emergency boarding up and call 01732 900 178.
First steps after a fire (practical guidance)
If you’re dealing with the immediate aftermath, here are sensible next steps. Only do what’s safe and permitted.
- Follow the fire service/police advice and don’t re-enter until you’re told it’s safe.
- Contact your insurer early if you can. You don’t need every detail to start the claim.
- If safe to do so, take photos of damaged doors/windows/openings before anything is moved.
- If the property has to be left, plan to secure property openings quickly (doors, windows, rooflights).
- Keep notes of:
- Dates/times
- Any reference numbers provided by emergency services
- What was damaged (e.g., “front door forced”, “rear window cracked”)
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for (see below).
Our priority after fire damage: make safe and secure the property
After a fire, our role is straightforward: temporary boarding and physical security to reduce further loss and keep the site controlled.
We commonly secure:
- Broken or heat-stressed windows (including ground floor and upper openings)
- Damaged external doors (including forced entries)
- Shopfronts where glazing and frames are compromised
- Roof openings and skylights where wind and rain can cause further internal damage
Depending on the opening, we may use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable coverage of larger openings
- 12mm OSB where appropriate for smaller or less exposed areas (we’ll advise)
- Anti-tamper fixings where the board could otherwise be removed from outside — important if the building will be unattended
If the surrounding frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The goal is security without making later repairs harder.
Related services you may need:
What happens when you call (3-step process)
When you’re stressed and juggling insurers, family, tenants, or staff — clarity helps. Here’s how we handle fire damage call-outs.
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Quick questions to understand the risk
We’ll ask what’s been damaged (windows/doors/roof), whether the property is occupied, and if there are any access restrictions. If you can, send photos. -
Attendance and make-safe work
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times — conditions vary — but when you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone. Once on site, we secure the openings using the most suitable method for the damage present. -
Documentation for your records/insurer
After the job, we can provide:- Time-stamped photos of the secured areas
- An itemised invoice
- A brief work statement describing what was done and why
Need to secure a property after a fire today? Call 01732 900 178.
Materials and methods (and why they matter after fire)
Fire-damaged buildings often have brittle frames, heat-affected glass, and wet surfaces from firefighting. That affects how we secure the opening.
Plywood vs OSB: choosing the right board
- Plywood (often 18mm exterior-grade): strong, more resistant to moisture, better for large openings and exposed elevations.
- OSB (often 12mm): can be suitable for smaller openings or short-term internal/security-only use, depending on the conditions.
We’ll select a board thickness and fixing method based on:
- Opening size and height
- Condition of frame/masonry
- Exposure to weather
- Security risk (vacant vs occupied)
- The need to avoid further damage where possible
Anti-tamper fixings and security-first approach
After a fire, the building can be unattended while investigations, drying, or repairs take place. Anti-tamper fixings help prevent boards being removed from outside, which is especially important for:
- Ground-floor windows
- Rear access points
- Side alleys and secluded elevations
Temporary steel doors (when boarding isn’t ideal)
If a door has been destroyed or the entrance must remain usable for contractors, a boarded doorway can be inconvenient.
In some cases, a temporary steel door is a better option:
- Stronger, re-usable, and lockable
- Suitable for ongoing access during reinstatement works
- Helps maintain site control over a longer period
Discuss this with us when you call, or review door boarding up.
Typical fire-damage scenarios we see in Tonbridge and the TN area
Every incident is different, but these are realistic situations where people call us:
- Front door forced to allow emergency access, leaving the property unable to lock
- Smashed window or cracked glazing from heat shock and firefighting water
- Shop or office premises with a compromised frontage needing the shopfront boarded up
- Flats or maisonettes where smoke/heat affects communal doors and security is needed while access is managed
- Properties left open for ventilation and drying, requiring a plan to secure property overnight
Access can also be a factor — for example, flats above shops, tight parking, or rear access through side passages. If you tell us what you’re dealing with, we’ll advise on the simplest and safest approach.
What we can (and can’t) do after a fire
Clear expectations help you plan.
What we do
- Emergency boarding up for windows, doors, shopfronts, and roof openings
- Make-safe work to reduce risk of entry and weather damage
- Practical advice on the most secure temporary solution
- Provide photos, itemised invoices, and a work statement for your records
What we don’t do
- We’re not a fire restoration or cleaning company
Smoke/odour remediation and full reinstatement are outside our scope — we secure the property so the next stages can proceed safely. - We don’t provide structural engineering sign-off
If there are structural concerns, we’ll flag them and recommend appropriate next steps.
For insurance-specific guidance, see insurance claims support.
Fire damage and insurance: what insurers typically need
Most policies focus on preventing further loss. That’s why make safe work is often important in the early stages.
While every insurer is different, it’s common to be asked for:
- Photos of damage and the temporary security installed
- An itemised invoice
- A description of works and the reason they were necessary (e.g., “property left insecure after fire service entry”)
We can provide documentation that fits these typical requirements. You can read more on our insurance claims page.
Related services (choose the right solution)
Fire incidents rarely involve only one opening. These service pages go deeper on each method:
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Need to board up broken window or cracked glazing?
See window boarding in Tonbridge -
Need to board up door after forced entry or damage?
See door boarding up -
Commercial premises with a damaged frontage or vulnerable glass?
See shopfront boarding -
Rooflights, skylights, or overhead openings exposed after heat/water damage?
See roof & skylight boarding
If this is urgent and it’s out of hours, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.
FAQs: Fire damage boarding up in Tonbridge
How quickly can you attend after a fire?
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours where needed. We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times — when you call, we’ll give a realistic ETA based on current workload and travel within the TN area.
Can you board up tonight if the property can’t be left open?
Yes, we handle emergency boarding up where a property is unsafe or insecure. If you need to secure property tonight, call 01732 900 178 and tell us which openings are exposed.
Do you board up both windows and doors after fire service access?
We do. It’s common for a door to be forced and for a smashed window or cracked pane to occur due to heat and firefighting water. We’ll secure each opening appropriately.
Will boarding up make later repairs harder?
If it’s possible to secure using non-destructive methods, we’ll do so. If the frame or surrounding material is too damaged, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The aim is always to protect the property without creating unnecessary extra repair work.
Can you secure a shopfront after fire damage?
Yes — we regularly shopfront boarded up for retail and commercial sites, including larger glazed openings. We’ll use suitable board thickness and fixings based on the size and exposure.
Is boarding up covered by insurance after a fire?
Often it can be, especially where it’s necessary to prevent further loss. Coverage depends on your policy. We provide photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement to support your claim — see insurance claims support.
What if the opening is on an upper floor or rooflight?
We can secure upper windows and roof openings where access is safe and appropriate. Tell us what’s damaged and, if possible, share photos so we can bring the right materials. More detail is on roof & skylight boarding.
Do you work across the TN postcodes or only Tonbridge?
We cover Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area (TN1–TN40). If you’re outside Tonbridge, check areas we cover for nearby locations.
What information should I have ready when I call?
Helpful details include:
- The address and postcode
- Which openings are damaged (door/window/shopfront/roof)
- Whether the building is occupied or vacant
- Any restrictions (shared access, keys, site contact)
- Photos if safe to take
Next steps: get the property secure
If your property has suffered fire damage, the priority is to make safe and prevent further loss — from weather, trespass, or opportunistic theft. We’ll talk you through the options and provide the paperwork you need afterwards.
Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
